THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


'So  SATAN,  BEING  I,ON<;  AND  SI.IM, 
STRETCHED  vp  AND  BENT  IIEK  DOWN  A  LIMB. 


THE  ANTEDILUVIAN 


SERPENTINE  MUSINGS. 


BY  A  DESCENDANT   OF  NOAH. 


"  Adam  and  Eve  tlie  world  begun, 
Adam,  he  carded  and  Eve.  she  spun." 

NEW  YORK: 

1THLISHED  FOU  TUB  AUTHOR  BY 

G.    P.    PUTNAM'S    SONS, 
1874. 


Entered  according  to  Act  ut'  Congress  in  tlie  >e;ir  IN!  li.v 

«;.    \'.   ITTNAM  S  SUNS, 
ui  tlue  Oflu-e  nl' tin-  Liliiiiriiui  <ti'(\>iii:re.>*  :it  Wiisliin^tun 


BROTHER  AND  SISTER  DESCENDANTS  OF 

U0% 

(CARDERS  AND  SPINNERS  THROUGH  THE  CURSE), 

THIS 

|Jocm  is  Jratcrmilln  Commiitcb  bn  the  ^.ui^or. 


THE  ANTEDILUVIAN. 


CANTO  FIRST. 


THE  fiat  of  wisdom,  creation's  last  day 

Brought  forth  in  perfection  our  "  temple  of  clay," 

When   with   breath   from  the  Master,  soul,  spirit 

and  mind, 

Young  Adam  stood  thinking,  the  first  of  mankind ; 
Anon,  a  deep  slumber  his  senses  enfolds, 
Awaking  from  which  Virgin  Eve  he  beholds. 
A  pinionless  angel,  no  feathers  or  down, 
Or  mantle,  or  garb,  save  the  smile  she  puts  on, 
As  she  stands  in  the  rays  of  the  new  risen  sun, 
Surveying  the  scene,  to  its  beauties  alive. 
Climax  of  perfection  !     "  Queen  bee  "  of  our  hive  ! 
When  this  mother  of  mortals  in  Eden  first  stood, 


4:  THE    ANTEDILUVIAN. 

Creation  was  finished,  and  all  remained  good, 
'Till  a  demon  of  rank,  with  luciferous  crest, 
Discovered  the  twain  as  he  peered  through  the  mist, 
Sent  by  his  eminence  the  chief  "  old  boy  " 
To  overturn  our  apple  cart  of  sublunary  joy, 
Taught  in  all  chicanery  by  this  great  potentate, 
No  dilemma  had  a  horn  he  couldn't  demonstrate; 
Skillful  in  the  courts  below,  and  christened  there 

"  Old  Scratch," 
Nowhere  (except  in  Congress)  has  he  ever  found 

his  match. 

The  garden  thus  discovered,  with  a  twinkle  in  his  eye, 
He  hurled  himself  to  earth,  like  a  meteor  from  the 

sky, 
Where  on  the  verge  of  Eden,  he  demoralized  the 

snake, 
Which  approached  the  rib  of  Adam  and  thus  to  her 

he  spake : 


THE   ANTEDILUVIAN. 

"  I  saw  thee  through  the  morning  sheen, 
And  came  to  g:  eet  Eden's  fair  queen, 
Whose  early  orisons  are  paid 
To  Him,  who  wisely  all  things  made. 
"Who  fashioned  these  majestic  trees, 
Made  lovely  flowers  to  scent  the  breeze, 
And  joyful  birds,  the  flowers  among, 
That  freight  the  very  air  with  song. 
How  blest  with  Adam  here  to  stay 
And  while  the  balmy  hours  away  " 

"Oh  ye?,"  tays  Eve,  "all  these  delight, 
But  Adarn  had  a  dream  last  night; 
He  thought  a  seraph  by  him  stood, 
That  told  him  of  a  fiendish  brood 
Residing  in  the  realms  below, 
Who  seek  our  Hiss  to  overthrow. 
The  vision  seems  to  vex  him  much, 
His  breakfast  he  wouM  hardly  touch, 


THE    ANTEDILUVIAN. 

Scarce  half  an  apricot  he  ate, 
And  then  went  forth  to  meditate. 
Left  thus  to  breakfast  all  alone, 
I  ate  until  my  peck  was  gone, 
When,  having  none  to  hear  me  talk, 
I,  too,  came  out  to  have  a  walk, 
And  glad  I  am  to  see  thy  face, 
And  talk  with  thee  of  Adam's  case. 
I  don't  know  why  it  thus  should  be, 
But  he  don't  seem  a  bit  like  me; 
He's  growing  set,  in  his  own  way, 
"Won't  hear  a  word  I  have  to  say. 
I've  just  such  dreams  most  every  night, 
And  they  don't  trouble  me  a  mite ; 
Catch  me  to  go  without  my  food, 
For  them,  or  any  other  brood; 
And  yet  I'm  grieved  to  have  him  so, 
For  there's  no  other  man,  you  know/' 


THE    ANTEDILUVIAN.  I 

"Yea,"  quoth  the  serpent,  "you're  quite  right 
In  keeping  thus  your  appetite, 
And  all  this  tenderness  you  feel, 
The  coining  woman  doth  reveal ; 
But,  then,  respecting  Adam's  dreams, 
I've  been  thinking;  and  it  seems 
To  me,  the  more  you  have  to  say 
The  more  he'll  have  all  his  own  way ; 
And,  that  the  best  thing  to  be  done, 
Is  just  to  leave  the  man  alone ; 
I  have  no  doubt  he'll  come  out  right 
From  this  illusion  of  the  night, 
Returning  in  a  different  mood; 
So  let  us  pluck  delicious  food, 
Which  from  your  hands  he  may  receive 
And  eat,  and  bless  his  darling  Eve. 
These  orchard  trees,  with  fruit  replete. 
Of  course  from  all  you  freely  eat  ? 


THE    ANTEDILUVIAN. 

This  tree  seems  higher  than  the  rest, 
No  doubt  its  apples  are  the  best. " 

"  Oh,  no  !  "  says  Eve,  "  that  cannot  be ! 
For  this  is  the  forbidden  tree ; 
I  never  dreamed  it  was  so  near. 
Oh!  I  shall  die.     Oh,  dear!     Oh,  dear! 
-Adam  !     Adam !     Why  ar'nt  you  here ? 
To  which  the  serpent  makes  reply  : 

"  "Woman,  you  shall  not  surely  die, 
This  fruit  will  only  make  you  wise, 
And  open  your  beclouded  eyes; 
It  is  a  fruit  to  be  desired : 
But  taste,  and  you  will  be  inspired, 
Exalted,  made  to  comprehend 
The  Deity,  and  me,  your  friend." 

"  Do  tell,"  says  Eve,  "  can  that  be  so  \ '' 
Nearer  the  fatal  tree  they  go. 
But  then  its  branches  all  are  high, 


THE   ANTEDILUVIAN.  9 

And  Eve,  at  first,  is  somewhat  shy; 
So  Satan,  being  long  and  slim. 
Stretched  up  and  bent  her  down  a  limb ; 
Some  of  its  leaves  graze  o'er  her  brow, 
She  winks,  as  n'er  she  winked  till  now, 
A  longing  feels,  far  from  her  wont, 
(She'll  have  an  apple,  see'f  she  don't.) 
The  pregnant  limb  is  bending  o'er  her, 
And  wisdom's  apples  swing  before  her, 
From  which  she  plucks,  despite  her  fear, 
So  pleasant  does  the  fruit  appear ; 
While  Satan,  certain  of  his  game, 
Shapes  back  his  course  from  whence  he  came, 
Shouting  as  the  serpent  squirms, 
Hurrah  !     Hurrah  !     What  food  for  worms  ? 
Fair  Eve,  meantime,  her  partner  finds, 
When  round  his  neck  her  arms  she  twines, 
And  with  such  fondness  hugs  the  man, 


10  THE    ANTEDILUVIAN. 

As  only  mortal  woman  can ; 
While  her  erubescent  cheeks, 
And  these  saccharifferous  freaks, 
Of  coming  human  nature  spake, 
And  told  him  she  was  half  awake. 
He  was  a  man  ;  first  of  the  race, 
And,  like  a  man  he  viewed  the  case; 
He'd  pondered  since  the  morning  light 
Upon  that  vision  of  the  night, 
Till  the  impression  found  its  birth, 
That  endless  life,  was  not  of  earth. 
So  to  his  fate  became  resigned, 
And  in  this  wise  relieved  his  mind : 
"  This  morning  after  leaving  thee 
Seeing  a  monkey  in  a  tree, 
I  threw  a  stone  —  hit  monkey's  head, 
The  monkey  fell,  I  found  him  dead, 
And  scrutinized  him  half  an  hour, 


THE   ANTEDILUVIAN.  11 

Till  interrupted  by  a  shower; 
And  little  difference  I  see 
Betwixt  the  monkey,  you  or  me. 
We're  all  constructed  much  the  same, 
Warm  hearts  are  beating  in  each  frame; 
All  have  the  sinews,  flesh  and  blood, 
Kept  from  decay  by  healthy  food  ; 
And  though  they  talk  in  lingo  queer, 
The  greatest  odds  that  doth  appear, 
Is  their  extension  in  the  rear, 
By  which  they  have  the  vantage  ground, 
When  savage  flies  are  buzzing  round. — • 
Soon  after,  running  o'er  the  plain 
Incautiously,  I  stubbed  my  toe, 
Hopped  on  one  leg,  and  cried  with  pain, 
And  almost  cursed,  it  hurt  me  so. 
Would  an  immortal  foot  thus  ache  ? " 
Says  Eve,  "  You'd  better  ask  the  snake ; 


12  THE   ANTEDILUVIAN. 

For  from  the  fruit,  on  which  he  feeds, 
In  knowledge,  us  he  far  exceeds. 
This  morn  he  took  me  to  that  tree 
Forbidden  but  to  you  and  me, 
Told  me  the  virtue  it  contained, 
And  what,  by  eating  might  be  gained. 
I  then,  and  there,  some  apples  took, 
"Which  lie  concealed  near  yonder  brook, 
The  eating,  I  deferred  until 
I  came  to  you,  and  learned  your  will." 
Adam  replies,  "  You're  right  my  dear 
The  serpent  now  is  master  here, 
And  we  must  eat  of  this  same  fruit 
Or  rank  in  knowledge  'neath  the  brute, 
And  though  it  be  a  sin  to  eat, 
From  what's  decreed  there's  no  retreat. 
My  angel  visitant  last  night, 
Bade  me  beware,  lett  Satan  might 


THE    ANTEDILUVIAN.  13 

Evade  the  watch  upon  the  wall, 
And  slipping  in,  effect  our  fall ; 
But  I've  not  seen  the  chap  about 
Although  I've  kept  a  good  lookout. 
I  knocked  that  monkey  off  the  limb, 
Thinking  perchance  it  might  be  him  ; 
And  fearing  that  in  some  such  shape, 
Our  guardian  watch,  he  might  escape  : 
Invisible, —  he  may  be  near, 
And  yet  I  would  not  have  him  here, — 
I'm  sure  I'd  rather  fall  without  him, 
Although  I  don't  know  much  about  him. — 
To  comprehend  this  state  of  ours, 
We  must  enlarge  our  mental  powers: 
I  think  corruption,  heaven's  plan, 
And  knowledge,  foreordained  for  man  ; 
Mortality  hath  wants,  and  pains, 
While  endless  life  itself  sustains  ; 


14  TIIE    ANTEDILUVIAN. 

These  bodies,  fashioned  from  the  clay, 

Like  vegetation,  must  decay  ; 

So  we  must  eat,  or  blindly  rust, 

For  what  originates  from  dust 

Must  back  to  dust  again  return  ; — 

So  bring  the  fruit  —  we've  much  to  learn. 

She  goes,  with  swift  and  willing  feet ! 

She'll  bring  the  fruit,  and  we  must  eat. 

Ye  generations  yet  to  be  ! 

And  feast  beneath  the  living  tree ; 

Believers  in  free  agency ! 

Blame  not  your  God-created  sire, 

Because  appointed  to  expire 

"With  an  enlarged  and  growing  mind, 

Not  chosen  ever  to  be  blind  ! 

Conceive  a  race  in  darkness  bound  ; 

Compare  them  with  yourselves,  renowned 

In  all  that  deifies  our  dust. 


THE    ANTEDILUVIAN.  15 


Then  curse  old  Adam,  if  you  must ; 
And  gibbet  Eve  in  effigy  ! ' 

Approaching — Eve,  the  fruit  divides! 
Corruption  his  pale  courser  strides, 
And  forth  upon  his  mission  rides, 
Having  the  mortal  germs  in  trust 
Designed  for  animated  dust ; 
And  Eden,  to  the  world  is  lost : 
Ambrosia's  short  career  is  run, — 
An  apple  has  eclipsed  her  sun  ; 
A.nd  Paradise,  on  earth  is  done! 


CANTO  SECOND. 


They  eat!-    Earth's  hostess  and  her  host 

Now  entertain  a  dismal  ghost ! 

Unseen,  upon  his  pallid  beast 

He  comes,  and  joins  them  in  their  feast! 

Unnoticed,  introspects  the  twain, 

And  plants  his  germs,  and  strews  his  grain; 

"With  ghastly  smile,  surveys  the  field, 

And  tallies  up  the  wondrous  yield. 

The  world  before  ne'er  saw  his  match 

For  counting  chickens  ere  they  hatch. 

The  feast  goes  on,  and  Adam's  brain 

Expands,  until  he  feels  a  pain.  ; 

Yet  so  enlarged  in  mind  is  he, 

Their  nakedness  he  fails  to  see. 


THE   ANTEDILUVIAN.  17 

While  Eve,  with  vision  more  confined 
To  dressing,  strongly  feels  inclined; 
And  soon,  a  notion  she  conceives 
To  slip  away,  and  bring  some  leaves 
Wherewith  their  persons  to  adorn, — 
Thus  pride  of  nakedness  was  born. 
'Twas  thus  that  Satan  stained  with  fraud 
Proud  man  ;  the  image  of  his  God ! 
"While  angels  watching  at  their  post 
Beheld  a  cloud  o'er  Eden  blown, 
Heard  the  shout  of  Satan's  host 
And  bore  the  tidings  to  the  throne. 
There  Gabriel,  minister  of  state, 
And  chief  among  the  peers  of  fate, 
Commanded  that  the  Tree  of  Life 
Be  guarded  by  a  naming  knife, 
And  cherubim,  its  way  to  shield 
Until  it's  time  to  be  revealed. 


.18  THE    ANTEDILUVIAN. 

"  This  is  that  fated  world,"  he  said, 
"  Where  Satan  is  to  have  free  trade ; 
Of  living  souls  make  merchandise, 
And  drug  the  hearts  of  men  with  lies : 
His  character  and  skill  display, 
And  traffic  in  free  agency. 
Not  all  the  wisdom  of  the  throne, 
To  such  as  Satan,  is  made  known : 
Some  plans  there  are,  he  may  not  view, 
Though  in  them  he  has  much  to  do. 
'T'is  his  to  work,  through  the  long  night 
Till  time  reveals  the  coming  light ; 
Then  to  behold,  to  his  dismay, 
Though  things  went  swimmingly  his  way 
Himself  and  all  his  imps  of  sin, — 
But  little  wheels,  —  a  wheel  within. 
This  offspring  of  Eternal  Mind 
Some  way  to  earth,  must  be  confined ; 


THE    ANTEDILUVIAN.  1  'J 

Originating  from  the  throne, 

Where  corruption's  powers  unknown, 

Its  tendency  this  way  would  be 

But  for  reaction  from  the  tree, 

Which  is  required  to  absorb 

And  bind  it  to  the  new  made  orb, 

Confine  it  to  its  house  of  clay, 

Till  death  shall  bear  the  wreck  away. 

For,  soul  in  substance  to  remain 

Requires  an  influence  to  restrain 

Its  centric  flight ;  —  which  motive  power, 

To  Satan  given, —  he  by  our 

Preordination  doth  repair 

On  his  appointed  mission  there. 

All  worlds  are  made  and  fill  a  place 

Revolving  in  the  realms  of  space ; 

The  parent  mind  directs  their  course, 

And  rules  them  by  the  laws  of  force. 


2<~  TIIK    ANTEDILUVIAN. 

While  men,  poor  brooding,  thinking  clods 
Conduct  themselves  as  they  were  Gods, 
Revolving  round  the  first  great  cause 
Which  '  art  to  be  and  ever  was.' 
Thus  knowledge  earthward  rolls  her  tide 
And  though  corruption  with  it  blend, 
Who  wisdom  makes  his  only  guide 
Will  have  the  Father  for  a  friend. 
This  Tree  of  Life,  from  which  they  go, 
In  this  good  time,  its  leaves  will  shed, 
To  heal  the  wounds  of  sin  and  woe, 
Where'er  the  tribes  of  earth  are  spread  ; 
And  every  tenement  of  clay, 
That  bears  the  Father's  image  there 
Shall  have  its  resurrection  day, 
And  breathe  another  atmosphere, — 
Though  under  just  what  stars  and  skies 
Is  left  a  puzzle  to  the  wise. 


THE    ANTEDILUVIAN. 

Yet  many  ministers  of  grace 

Striving  to  elevate  their  race, 

Ponder  the  word  and  weigh  each  verse, 

And  puzzle  o'er  the  fall,  and  curse. 

Keep  puzzling  on  —  as  they  grow  old, 

And  thus  inferring  what's  untold, 

Give  it  each  Sabbath  to  their  age 

A  helpmeet  for  the  sacred  page." 

Then  to  those  watchers  of  the  scene, 

He  said  "  Return  to  earth  again, 

Let  slip  the  demons  of  the  curse 

With  pall,  and  winding  sheets,  and  hearse. 

Adam,  the  first  of  all  below, 

With  his  '  for  better  or  for  worse ' 

From  Eden's  bowers  now  must  go." 

This  order,  they  forthwith  obey, 

And  back  to  Eden  wing  their  way, 

Where  soon,  they  light  upon  the  wall, 


22  THE    ANTEDILUVIAN. 

And  thus  aloud,  on  Adam  call. 

"  Adam  !     Adam  !     Where  are  ye  now  ? 

Have  ye  been  plucking  from  the  bough, 

Whereof  ye  gather  but  to  die?" 

Says  Adam,  '"I  can't  tell  a  lie,' 

The  woman  made  for  my  helpmeet 

Helped  me  to  some,  and  I  did  eat." 

Unto  the  woman,  then  they  say 

"  Why  did  ye  lead  the  man  astray  ? " 

When  promptly  Mother  Eve  replies: 

"  The  serpent  said  'twould  make  me  wise, 

Give  to  thought  a  new  creation, — 

Lift  me  to  a  higher  station, 

Meet  with  Adam's  approbation  ; — 

So  without  procrastination 

I  plucked,  and  straight  to  Adam  came 

And  though  we  ate,  the  snake's  to  blame." 

Now,  as  all  knowledge  in  this  brute, 


THE    ANTEDILUVIAN.  23 

By  transmigration  through  the  fruit, 

To  Adam  passed, —  and  to  his  mate; 

Tt  left  him  but  the  wreck  of  fate. 

Poor  thing  !     He  knew  not  who  to  blame. 

So  venomous,  henceforth  became, 

Cursed,  above  all  beasts  and  cattle, 

Nothing  left  but  hiss  and  rattle, 

Through  the  dust  of  earth  to  wind 

At  enmity  with  all  mankind. 

Thus  heavily  the  snake  was  cursed, 

Because  in  the  transgression  first. 

Unto  the  woman,  then  they  look, — 

Her  woe  is  written  in  the  book  ; — 

Maternity  must  rule  her  here, 

Till  love  sends  one  to  domineer. 

Her  heritage  is  sighs,  and  groans, 

And  agony  in  all  her  bones  ; 

With  breaking  heart,  and  aching  head, 


24  THE    ANTEDILUVIAN. 

And  progeny  to  Kick  up  Ned  j 
Through  all  of  which  she  lives  caressed 
And  children's  children  call  her  blest. 
To  Adam  who  (so  says  St.  Paul), 
"Was  not  deceived,  though  in  the  fall, 
Because  with  Eve  he  did  partake ; 
The  ground  was  cursed  for  his  sake, — 
Thistles  and  thorns  must  ever  yield, 
And  man  must  toil  in  wood  and  field, 
With  sweating  brow  his  living  earn 
Till  he  to  dust  again  return. 
Clothing  the  angels  now  provide, 
And  fig  leaves  must  be  laid  aside, 
So  while  the  pair  their  toilet  make 
We'll  further  muse  upon  the  snake. 


CANTO   THIRD. 


Doubtless,  before  the  fall  took  place 
Serpents  excelled  the  new  made  race 
In  all  those  elements  of  mind 
That  since  have  deified  mankind. 
"  Upon  thy  belly  thou  shalt  go," 
Implies  that  'twas  not  always  so, 
And  leads  the  student  to  conclude 
That  formerly  erect  they  stood. 
And  proudly  in  the  garden  walked, 
And  with  the  couple  laughed  and  talked. 
Our  sacred  writers  often  make 
Mystic  allusions  to  the  snake, 
Which  point  to  one,  more  noble  far 

Than  all  earth's  creeping  monsters  are, 

2 


26  THE    ANTEDILUVIAN. 

And  tells  the  searcher  after  truth 

That  serpents  once  were  not  uncouth. 

The  brazen  serpent  Moses  wrought, 

To  Israel  balm  from  Eden  brought 

So  full  of  power,  it  only  took 

For  direst  wound,  a  single  look  ; 

And  typified  the  healing  balm 

Which  "  art,"  and  "  wast,"  and  "art  to  come." 

"Be  ye  therefore  as  serpents  wise" 

Applies  to  him  in  Paradise, 

Ere  Satan's  crew  intruding  thence 

Corrupted  all  his  better  sense, 

Enthroned  him  as  their  Demon  Prince 

And  hailed  him  as  "Your  Eminence." 

Well  was  his  worth  and  wisdom  known 

By  all  the  imps  of  Satan's  throne, 

Which  were  created  and  exist 

But  to  effect  some  high  behest. 


THE   ANTEDILUVIAN.  27 

For  every  thing  was  fixed  and  planned 

Before  the  earth  was  made  and  manned ; 

And  Satan  by  foregone  decree 

Helps  carry  out,  "  what  is  to  be." 

There  could  not  be,  in  other  sense, 

An  overruling  Providence. 

Dost  ask  who  was  this  being  wise 

Located  thus  in  Paradise, 

As  teacher  of  the  infant  pair 

Breathing  with  them  ambrosial  air? 

Tell  then,  Oh,  Muse!  'Twas  Lucifer! 

Bright  Lucifer,  the  morning  star; 

Proud  Lucifer,  before  he  fell 

To  be  a  minister  of  hell ! 

They  needed  some  one  to  direct 

With  higher  powers  of  intellect, 

And  thus  a  sort  of  Moses  he 

To  pilot  them  on  life's  rough  sea. 


28  THE    ANTEDILUVIAN. 

Which  duty  he  no  doubt  performed 
Till  Demon  force  the  castle  stormed, 
And  sly  Old  Scratch  (by  hook  or  crook) 
Said  Lucifer's  acquirements  took, 
From  which  he  cut  that  spacious  cloak 
Wherein  to  perpetrate  the  deed 
Of  death,  to  Adam  and  his  seed. 
When  that  proud  peer,  and  all  his  chums 
Became  transformed  to  snakes  and  worms, 
While  other  hosts  of  fallen  ones 
Assumed  the  shape  of  Adam's  sons. 
Thus  to  my  muse  'tis  clear  and  plain 
Celestial  ones  fell  with  the  twain  ; — 
Else  tell  us  who  those  sons  of  God 
Dwelling  with  men  before  the  flood 
Wedding  the  fairest  maids  of  earth 
Who  gave  to  monster  giants  birth  ? 
Who  but  those  satellites  that  fell, 


THE    ANTEDILUVIAN.  29 

By  Milton's  verse  described  so  well, 
Kebellious  host,  routed  and  driven 
By  Gabriel  down  the  slopes  of  Heaven  ? 
Our  Father  Isaac  when  a  lad 
Conversant  was  with  Arphaxad, 
And  oft  he  heard  that  parent  tell 
How  these  rebellious  subjects  fell ; 
And  in  this  new  made  world  of  ours 
Found  refuge  from  offended  powers ; 
Took  human  form,  and  filled  a  place 
Contemporary  with  our  race 
In  its  initiatory  days, 
Ere  wisdom  magnified  her  wavs. 

O  t/ 

Told  how  his  grandsire  used  to  say 
Those  Anacondas  of  his  day, 
All  grace  and  righteousness  withstood, 
Denied  the  race,  and  caused  the  flood. 
Though  Noah  with  them  liv'd  and  dealt, 


30  THE    ANTEDILUVIAN. 

Their  influence  he  never  felt, 
JMor  did  they  have  the  least  effect 
On  any  in  the  line  direct. 
Their  power  to  wear  the  human  form 
Was  deluged  in  that  awful  storm, 
But  still  their  shades  in  darkness  dwell 
Haunting  this  orb  to  which  they  fell ; 
And  though  to  sight  invisible 
These  same  old  anti-deluge  chaps 
Iling  round  this  world  their  spirit  raps, 
Having  their  mediums  of  renown 
Alarming  country, —  diverting  town  ; 
And  who,  by  sympathetic  aid, 
Put  Moses'  wonders  in  the  shade. 
From  instruments  sweet  music  bring 

O 

Without  a  hand  to  touch  a  string, 
Or  in  a  ring,  around  some  table, 
Call  up  Nimrod  who  founded  Babel, 


THE    ANTEDILUVIAN.  31 

And  question  him  about  the  brick, 

And  how  the  slime  was  made  to  stick  ; 

Or  summon  any  ghost  they  please 

To  settle  weighty  points  like  these. 

Their  agents  most  are  of  the  sex 

OfEndor's  witch, —  Saul  caused  to  vex 

The  quiet  of  that  good  old  seer, 

Who  at  her  summons  did  appear, 

And  in  the  mantle  of  the  tomb,  ^ 

Stood  up  —  and  read  the  old  King's  doom  !  — 

Successors  to  those  maids  who  cheered 

Their  pilgrimage  before  the  flood, 

Then  sinking  with  them,  disappeared, — 

Cain's  daughters  in  the  land  of  Nod. 

Think  not,  my  muse,  of  kith  or  kin 

With  these  diabolos  of  sin, 

Who  stole  their  thunder  from  the  throne, 

And  lie  in  callino-  it  their  own. — 


32  THE    ANTEDILUVIAN. 

She  merely  questions  the  old  chap 
Touching  this  mystery  of  our  age, 
Then  gives  her  spirit  friends  a  rap, 
And  leaves  her  note  on  historic  pago. 


CANTO   FOURTH. 


Secrets  obscure,  dark,  and  profound, 
This  snake,  and  tree,  and  fruit  surround ; 
And  though  some  writers  on  the  fall 
Suggest  a  devil  in  them  all, 
But  few  are  willing  to  concede 
Him,  an  appointment,  or  a  need. 
While  all  admit  he  puts  on  airs, 
And  still  with  fruit  the  mind  ensnares : 
In  every  heart,  some  plant  doth  nourish, 
And  delights,  when  most  doth  flourish 
Those  scaly  germs  of  innate  sin, 
The  serpent  left  when  winding  in ; 
Which  to  my  muse  makes  things  appear 
Inconclusive,  mixed,  and  queer, 


34  THE    ANTEDILUVIAN. 

Unless  he  has  a  mission  here. 
Again,  we  read  on  scripture's  page 
Of  one  correct,  upright  old  sage 
Who  keeping  Satan  in  his  rear 
Became  translated  from  this  sphere ; 
Now  had  all  walked  with  Enoch's  mien, 
Would  such  translation  all  have  seen  ( 
This  surely  was  not  the  intent 
For  which  the  soul  in  clay  was  pent ; 
In  Enoch's  travel  we  behold 
How  Satan's  power  may  be  controlled, 
And  that  despite  his  tricks  and  lies, 
Man's  province  is  to  scale  the  skies. 
And  where  there's  mystery  involved 
His  mission  is  to  have  it  solved  ; 
And  where  a  peg  holds  but  a  doubt 
'Tis  "  woman's  sphere  "  to  pry  it  out. 
Tell  but  a  child  in  this  our  time 


THE    ANTEDILUVIAN.  35 

That  if  a  certain  tree  lie  climb, 

He's  sure  to  meet  with  some  disaster, 

See  if  he  does  not  climb  it  faster : 

If  not, —  he  don't  belong  to  me, 

For  mine  would  climb  no  other  tree. 

Just  so  it  was  with  Eve  and  Adain, 

They  would  keep  climbing  till  the}7  had  'em, — 

The  apples,  on  that  tree  of  knowledge 

Xow  flourishing  in  school  and  college. 

Prolific  tree  !     Progressive  fruit ! 

Lifting  our  race  above  the  brute  ! 

And,  lacking  which,  like  dolts  and  gumps, 

Xot  knowing  when  we  hold  good  trumps, 

We're  euchred  in  the  very  face 

Of  both  the  bowers  and  the  ace ! 

Why  to  our  parents  thus  forbidden? 

Deep, —  deep, —  the  mystery  is  hidden 

And  not  a  spirit  loafs  about 


36  THE    ANTEDILUVIAN. 

Able  to  rap  the  puzzle  out. 

Yet  Adam's  race  as  they  rotate 

And  sound  the  depths  of  sin  and  late 

That  underlie  snake,  fruit  and  tree 

Shall  fathom  this  deep  mystery, 

Which  in  earth's  coming  jubilee 

All  printed  in  a  book  shall  be. 

We've  seen  a  rib  from  Adam's  side 

Become  a  woman,  and  a  bride, 

By  which  process  she's  more  refined. 

When  with  the  man  anew  combined. 

And  though  they're  called  "  one  flesh  "  again 

They  differ, —  just  a  little  grain  — 

In  some  things  ;  thus  related, — 

Not  being  always  fairly  mated. 

Take,  for  instance,  the  subject  tongue, 

Why,  Eve  had  two,  to  Adam's  one : 

Dost  think  that  Paradise  could  be 


THE    ANTEDILUVIAN.  37 

Where  there  \vas  such  discrepancy? 

It  never  could  have  been, —  no,  never; 

But  for  the  serpent's  being  clever, 

Supplying  to  each  wherein  they  lacked, 

By  his  sagacity  and  tact, 

And  keeping  Eden  from  commotion 

By  his  wisdom,  and  devotion, 

Just  as  train  oil  doth  still  old  ocean : 

AVhich  Eden  might  be  ours  to-day 

Had  Satan's  imps  been  kept  away. 

Ye!  who  would  equalize  mankind  — 

To  things  as  ordered,  not  resigned ; 

Better  you  lay  the  oar  aside, 

And  drift  at  rest  upon  the  tide, 

Or  else,  create  another  moon, 

Controlling  tides  to  suit  your  tune. 

You  can't  ?     Pull  on  !     I'll  join  you  when 

The  serpent  shall  return  again, 


38  THE    ANTEDILUVIAN. 

To  promenade  the  earth  once  more 
Endowed  with  wisdom  as  of  yore  ; 
To  navigate  the  human  race 
And  keep  them  in  the  paths  of  peace  ! 
"It  was  not  thus  that  Milton  soared 
And  sung  of  Paradise  restored." 
Thanks,  Monitor  !     Milton  was  great : 
His  muse  I  would  not  underrate; 
Yet  bear  with  mine  another  flight, 
She  possibly  may  come  out  right. — 
Adam  and  Eve  !     Majestic  pair  ! 
Though  breathing  an  ambrosial  air, 
Your  bliss  consists  in  being  blind 
To  all  that  elevates  mankind. 
Till  Satan's  torch  lit  wisdom's  light, 
Darker  than  Egypt,  was  the  night 
That  hung  around  your  mental  sight  !- 
Is  such,  the  Paradise  to  be, 


THE    ANTEDILUVIAN.  39 


\\rlicn  man  shakos  off  mortality? 
Is  this  the  Eden  of  the  blest, 
Where  Aveary  pilgrims  hope  to  rest, 
Av7heri  trials  of  this  life  are  o'er  ? 
Is  this  that  bright  and  shining  shore 
Where  Ave  Avill  meet  to  part  no  more  ? 
This  paradox  will  never  do  ; 
There  must  be  odds  betAvixt  the  two  ! 
The  first  was  Adam's  Paradise, 
For  him  and  Eve,  Avho  had  no  eyes ! 
While  that  to  corne,  prepared  shall  be 
For  those  who  having  eyes  shall  see. 
If  this  distinction  don't  exist 
Then  Paradise,  thy  name  is  mist ! 
And  secondary  ranks  the  worth 
Of  human  longings  for  a  birth 
Beyond  the  confines  of  old  earth ! 


CANTO   FIFTH. 


With  knowledge,  now  is  ushered  in 
The  fallen  serpent's  reign  of  sin 
Both  good  and  evil  was  the  fruit, 
And  both  in  man  have  taken  root. 
Read  the  tale  of  bygone  ages 
Written  by  the  priests  and  sages, 
Light,  and  darkness  fill  its  pages : 
Xow  the  star  of  Tophet  rages, 
Demon  work  and  sin  the  wedge  is, 
Lifting  honor  from  men's  souls, 
As  round  her  central  orb  she  rolls. 
Anon  the  sun's  bright  beams  look  down, 
And  healthy  planets  circle  round, 
While  Satan's  banner  trails  the  ground, 


THE    ANTEDILUVIAN.  4-1 

And  human  aspirations  rise 

Scaling  the  battlements  of  lies. 

Old  earth  was  made  for  clay  and  night, 

Seasons  of  darkness  and  of  light, 

So  man,  created  from  its  dust, 

Must  have  his  shade, —  forsooth  he  must, 

And  thus  the  snake,  through  demon  might, 

Prepared  him  for  his  day  and  night, 

Suspending  life  npon  a  breath 

Beneath  the  shadow  of  grim  death. 

For  though  the  spirit  grieve  and  mourn 

To  see  its  dwelling  wrecked  and  torn, 

Death  has  no  power  but  to  slay 

Man's  animality  of  clay. 

When  soul,  unshackled  from  the  clod, — 

Returns  set  free  unto  its  God. — 

His  words,  "ye  shall  not  surely  die" 

Were  never  more  than  half  A  lie, 


42  THE    ANTEDILUVIAN. 

And  thus  our  serpent  in  the  fall 

Proves  not  a  liar  after  all. 

Why  then  abuse  and  call  him  black, 

And  every  chance  give  him  a  whack? 

Some  men  exist  in  our  days, 

Who  certainly  have  snakish  ways ; 

If  things  go  wrong  they're  sure  to  squirm, 

And  lay  it  to  the  cursed  worm  ; 

Others,  whom  sin  has  brought  to  grief 

Fly  to  the  serpent  for  relief, — 

While  some  a  lump  of  all  sin  make, 

And  dump  the  wrhole  upon  the  snake. — 

Strange  logic  in  the  world  is  found, 

And  many  theories  abound, 

But  such  theology  as  this, 

Might  well  be  answered  writh  a  hiss. 

Though  earth,  with  lies  is  over-run, 

The  serpent  told  but  half  an  one, 


THE   ANTEDILUVIAN.  43 

Or  rather,  Satan  (as  we've  seen) 
Employed  him  as  a  "  go  between," 
And  through  the  carriage  of  the  brute, 
Revealed  the  secret  of  the  fruit ; 
While  Eve  —  quite  willing  to  be  wise, 
Opened  her  mouth  —  and  then  her  eyes; 
Nor  is  it  strange,  that  she  should  stray, 
When  such  a  teacher  led  the  way. 
Though  created  first,  of  all, 
Adam  appears  the  last,  to  fall. 
He  stood  until  the  Woman  blushed, 
When  all  his  murmurings  were  hushed, 
His  wakened  spouse,  seeming  so  cute, 
He  quite  elated,  took  the  fruit  — 
Xo  right  to  live  alone  he  claimed, 
So  ate  until  he  was  ashamed, 
And  since  there  was  no  other  flame, 
Poor  man  —  he's  not  so  much  to  blame. 


4A  THE    AXTEU1LUV1AX. 

Ye  who  the  serpent  stigmatize, 

And  style  him  father  of  all  lies ! 

Better  yon  leave  his  sin  alone, 

And  seek  forgiveness  for  your  own  ; 

If  in  the  fall  he  took  the  front, 

So  in  the  curse,  he  bore  the  brunt. 

Think  not  because  of  old  '  twas  said 

"  The  woman's  seed  shall  bruise  his  head," 

That  every  mortal  child  of  earth 

Should  hate  the  reptile,  from  his  birth, 

And  pelt,  and  mangle,  him  with  stones, 

To  atomize  his  very  bones; 

Such  action  shows  the  man  of  sin, 

Whom  Satan's  self  resides  within, 

Who  when  resisted  takes  to  flight, 

While  snakes  resisted  always  fight ; 

A  proof  than  holy  writ  more  strong, 

That  Satan  wras  not  in  him  long, 


THE   ANTEDILUVIAN.  4:5 

But  wrought  the  fall,  as  we  have  seen, 
Then  left  him  for  the  souls  of  men, 
When  the  two  founders  of  our  race 
In  knowledge,  took  the  serpent's  place. 
For  this  medlar  was  fate's  repose 
Their  eyes  to  open  — his  to  close, 
And  when  fair  Eve  the  apple  took, 
The  sleeping  deities  awoke, 
And  the  "  knowledge  box  "  exchanged, 
Precisely  as  '  twas  pre-arranged, 
Though  Satan  swore,  and  proved  it  too 
That  brokerage  to  him  was  due. 
Thus  wisdom's  fruit,  food  of  the  mind, 
Came  with  sin's  essence  in  the  rind. 
Oh  ye !  who  feast  at  wisdom's  feet 
Do  peel  her  apples  ere  you  eat ! 
"Why,  all  their  pomace  masticate ; 
Keeping  your  imps  in  church  and  State, 


46  THE   ANTEDILUVIAN. 

With  title  deeds  of  modern  date, 
Lacking  the  sign  and  seal  of  fate. 
Deacons,  and  Elders,  whose  long  prayers 
Scarce  shield  them,  from  temptations'  snares, 
And  "  honorables  "  to  Congress  sent, 
On  salary  grabbing  jobs  intent  ? 


A  LYING  SPIRIT  INTERRUPTS  THE  MUSE. 


"  Imps  in  the  cl  in  roll  ?  '  tis  wondrous  strange, 

A  modern  bard,  thus  wide  should  range, 

Of  what's  considered  orthodox, 

By  most  good  reverential  folks, 

Who  worship  in  the  highest  style, 

And  bask  in  wisdom's  holy  smile, 

Where  elegance  excludes  the  vile, 

And  carpels  decorate  the  aisle; 

And  rhetoric,  with  virtue's  cream, 

So  saturates  salvation's  scheme, 

That  not  a  soul  need  ever  stray, 

Or  wander  from  its  milky  way  / 

And  sacred  songs,  from  hireling  throats, 

Dance  to  the  organ's  pealing  notes, 

While  envy  steals  through  beauty's  cloud, 


48  THE   ANTEDILUVIAN. 

To  kiss  the  daughters  of  the  proud  ; 

Though  imps,  and  fiends,  are  not  allowed, 

Or  if  one  chance  to  show  its  face, 

They  smother  it,  with  so  much  grace  — 

That  '  tis  not  thought  a  real  case. 

'  Tis  true,  of  late,  some  congressmen 

A  little  indiscreet  have  been, 

And  frenzied  with  the  nation's  cares, 

Bought  into  Satan's  Railroad  shares. 

However,  taken  as  a  class, 

They  all  as  goodly  jewels  pass, 

And  though  they  hold  conflicting  views, 

Some  wearing  boots,  and  others  shoes, 

"With  which  they  make  some  splendid  hits, 

And  sometimes  give  each  other  fits. 

Yet  when  bisected  hoofs  break  out, 

It  goes  as  '  parliamentary  gout,' 

Or  other  transcendental  ill, 


THE    ANTEDILUVIAN.  49 

For  which  the  doctors  have  no  pill. 

And  so  sweet  Charity  steps  in, 

To  nurse  the  wounded  member's  shin, 

While  all  the  people  shout,  Amen, 

And  vote  the  cripple  in  again  ! 

What !  imps  among  these  honored  ones  ? 

Go,  wean  your  muse  —  or  spike  her  guns  — 

No  demons  among  Adam's  boys ! " 

Lying  spirit,  hush  thy  noise  ! 

And  hark,  to  yon  grave-digger's  song, 

Whose  occupation,  goblins  throng, 

Singing,  among  the  sculptured  stones, 

Singing,  among  decaying  bones, 

Singing,  where  others  come  to  weep, 

Singing,  where  dead  men  come  to  sleep, 

Singing,  as  he  wields  the  spade, 

Singing,  as  he  earns  his  bread, 

Singing,  to  the  silent  hosts, 


50  THE   ANTEDILUVIAN. 

Singing  to  their  varied  ghosts, 
Singing,  in  the  hole  he's  dug, 
Singing  to  the  worm  and  bug, 
Singing,  while  the  death  bell  rings, 
Singing  —  listen  while  he  sings  — 
Lying  Spirit,  lend  an  ear ! 
Of  a  demon,  thou  shalt  hear. 

rl  Business  with  me  is  never  slack, 
I  cover  simple  ones  and  wise, 

Just  as  they  fall. 

For  there's  a  demon  on  the  track 
Of  pilgrims  here  below  the  skies, 

Who  gathers  all. 

'  Tis  said,  that  Adam's  rib,  or  wife, 
The  mother  of  the  human  race, 

Of  scripture  fame, 
Went  off,  and  left  the  tree  of  Life, 
And  gave  this  Demon  her  embrace, 

And  fell  in  shame. 


THE   ANTEDILUVIAN.  "  51 

Since  which,  from  every  land,  and  clime, 
And  kindred,  tongue,  and  nation, 

From  huts,  and  thrones, 
This  fiend  has  oiled  the  wheels  of  time 
With  grief,  and  lamentation, 

And  sighs  and  groans. 

The  peasant  of  the  lowly  cot, 
Whether  in  joy,  or  its  reverse, 

Famine  or  feast, 
Is  as  contented  with  his  lot, 
Nor  dreads  this  demon  of  the  curse 

More  than  the  Priest. 

Beneath  the  shadow  of  his  wing 
Great  David,  in  his  robes  was  chilled, 

His  powers  flag  — 
Full  soon,  his  royal  pulse  was  stilled, 
In  vain,  alas !  She  cherished  him, 

Fair  Abishag. 


52  THE   ANTEDILUVIAN. 

Infallible,  although  they  be, 

Rome's  haughty  Pope's,  his  sway  must  own, 

And,  at  his  nod 

They  founder  on  the  Sacred  See, 
And  in  their  holy  water,  drown 

Grasping  the  rod. 

Here,  too,  in  this  our  favored  land, 
Than  where,  no  brighter  banner  waves 

O'er  creation, 

He  reigns; — and,  with  unflinching  hand, 
Sends  generations  to  their  graves, 

Or  cremation. 

And  though  no  Kings  sit  robed  in  might, 
Or  Queens,  the  lordly  sceptre  sway, 

Cap't  with  a  crown, 
This  tyrant,  with  unquestioned  right, 
Orders  our  presidents  away; 

Men  of  renown. 


THE    ANTEDILUVIAN.  53 

Lincoln,  who  earns  immortal  fame, 
When  battle  for  a  nation's  life 

1  ts  harvest  reaps ; 
Falls  by  a  rebel  demon's  aim, 
The  noblest  martyr  of  the  strife, — 

The  Union  weeps. 

Events  that  are  to  come, —  will  be, 
And  that  which  is  to  happen,  will : — 

Satan  doth  roar, 

And  though  our  "  contrabands"  are  free," 
They've  that  old  curse  upon  them  still, 

Pronounced  by  Noah. 

The  power  which  scattered  men  abroad, 
Giving  new  tongues,  on  Shinar's  plain, 

Where  Babel  stood, 

Can  work  through  fiends,  and  have  restored 
One  language  to  the  world  again, 

One  brotherhood. 


54:  THE    ANTEDILUVIAN. 

Beneath  thy  robes,  philanthropy, 
How  many  cloven  feet  are  trained, 

In  these  our  times ; 
And  in  thy  name,  humanity, 
How  many  imps  are  left  unchained, 

To  hatch  new  crimes? 

Some  few,  appear  to  human  ken, 
Reflected  in  the  ancient  law, 

To  Moses  given : 

Though  little  here  is  known  to  men, 
The  services  these  imps  are  for 

Under  high  Heaven. 

We  know  they  make  men  disagree, 
Each  wedding  to  some  fond  idea 

Of  what  is  right. 

I  wish  they'd  help  my  spade  and  me, 
To  cover  those  they  hasten  here 

From  human  siprht. 


THE    ANTEDILUVIAN.  55 

Vain  wishl  long  since  great  Adam's  shade 
The  Machpelah's  of  earth  hath  found, 

And  left  a  charm  ; 
And  sanctified  the  pick  and  spade, 
So  there  be  ghosts  on  hallowed  ground 

That  do  no  harm. 

Ye  sacred  children  of  the  tomb ! 
Shades  of  the  pastl  ye  have  your  birth 

When  friends  are  lost ! 
While  imps  and  fiends  are  but  at  home 
Among  the  busy  ones  of  earth, 

A  mighty  host. 

Cremation  may  destroy  my  trade, 
And  take  the  worms  appointed  food, 

Our  mortal  clay  : 

Yet  every  urn  shall  yield  its  shade, 
And  worms  will  in  the  living  brood, 

Nor  lose  their  pray. 


56  THE   ANTEDILUVIAN. 

Ere  which  I  hope  to  be  at  rest, 
Another  leave  to  act  my  part, 

The  bell  to  toll— 

And  those  to  weep  who  love  me  best, 
And  kiss  me,  sighing  from  the  heart, 

"  Peace  to  his  soul !  " 

A  nation  will  not  miss  me  much. 

Yet  not  more  sweet  doth  Lincoln  sleep, 

Nor  pope,  nor  king — 
Than  I  shall  when  death's  demon  touch 
Sends  me  to  earth, —  no  more  to  weep, 

Or  dread  his  sting." 


CANTO   SIXTH 


And  now,  my  muse,  turn  we  again, 

To  where,  erstwhile,  we  left  the  twain, 

Not  each  distinctive  act  to  trace, 

In  this  first  toilet  of  our  race ; 

For  earth  contained  no  gossip  then 

To  tell  how  people  dressed,  and  when, 

Thus  none  beheld  dear  mother  Eve 

Working  her  head  out  through  her  sleeve; 

Or  with  his  coat  on  upside  down, 

Saw  father  Adam  of  renown. 

This  anecdote,  bv  Eve  was  told 

To  her  grandchildren  when  quite  old, 

And  was  handed  down  through  Noah 

To  the  descendants  of  Nahor. 


58  THE   ANTEDILUVIAN. 

And  later  Edora's  daughters  laugh 

Round  Jacob  leaning  on  his  staff, 

As  he  the  ancient  story  tells, 

While  making  merry  with  those  belles. 

Thus  it  came  down  in  line  direct 

And  so  I  have  it  quite  correct. 

Now,  as  there  is  no  act  of  fate, 

Fashion  and  style  to  regulate, 

They,  though  at  first  somewhat  perplexed, 

Get  things  at  last  all  rightly  fixed, 

When  hand  in  hand,  and  wide  awake, 

Their  \vay  into  the  world  they  take, 

Adam  to  plant,  and  Eve  to  sew, 

Where  tares  abound  and  thistles  grow. 

A  firm  resolve  is  in  each  heart, 

To  give  themselves  a  fitting  start, 

Living  as  far  from  Satan's  thrall 

As  found  consistent  with  the  fall ; 


THE   ANTEDILUVIAN.  59 

And  with  the  tribes  on  record  place 

The  Genesis  of  Adam's  race. 

Obedient  to  nature's  laws 

When  weary  on  their  march,  they  pause, 

The  dust  from  off  their  garments  shake, 

And  marvel  that  their  bones  should  ache  ; 

When  near  their  halting  place,  is  seen 

A  mossy  hillock,  soft  and  green, 

Fit  sofa  for  a  fallen  queen. 

Now  mother  Eve  reclining  here 

And  contemplating  woman's  sphere 

Moistens  her  frailty  with  a  tear ; — 

While  Adam  —  dinner  on  the  brain  — 

Ascends  a  tree,  food  to  obtain, 

And  finding  soon  a  fruitful  limb 

He  calls  on  Eve  to  follow  him. 

"  Oh,  no  ! "  says  Eve,  "  I'm  safer  here, 

For  we  might  fall  again,  my  dear." 


60  THE   ANTEDILUVIAN. 

Says  he  "  I  had  not  thought  of  that," 
Then  with  the  fruit  fills  up  his  hat, 
Cautious  descends, —  then  cool  and  calm, 
Dines  with  his  rib, —  and  feels  no  harm. 
For  covert  from  the  lion's  paw, 
And  other  beasts  with  man  at  war, 
And  shelter  from  the  wind  and  storm, 
An  urgent  need  they  feel  and  see, 
So  when  refreshed  from  spring  and  tree, 
They  give  to  architecture  thought. 
Their  plans  are  to  a  focus  brought, 
And  every  energy  is  bent 
On  the  erection  of  a  tent ; 
And  when  the  occidental  breeze 
Danced  through  the  sunset,  on  the  trees, 
Finished,  and  firm,  the  fabric  stood, 
And  Adam's  voice  pronounced  it  good  ; 
"While  in  the  distance,  Eve  we  see 


THE   ANTEDILUVIAN.  61 

Pre-meditating  near  a  tree, 

CJ  * 

As  to  what  fruit  she'll  have  for  tea. 
Which  question,  settled  to  her  mind 
She  sinks  the  chosen  bush  behind, 
And  from  its  laden  branches  picks, 
While  at  its  roots,  the  death  watch  ticks 
Merrily  to  the  lively  cheer 
Of  the  cricket  singing  near. 
Till  cultivation  brought  them  bread, 
Wild  fruit  was  all  the  food  they  had, 
And  simple  water  from  the  brook 
The  only  beverage  they  took : 
While  in  the  tent  their  wants  were  few, 
And  little  work  they  found  to  do ; 
Thus  in  simplicity  they  dwelt, 
And  Eden's  loss  was  lightly  felt, 
Until  the  leaven  of  the  tree 
Inflated  their  posterity. 


62  THE   ANTEDILUVIAN. 

Take  now  our  "  period's  female," 

As  fully  rigged,  before  the  gale, 

She  sweeps  across  the  serpent's  trail ; 

And  let  some  popular  divine, 

Whose  sermons  make  earth's  Sabbaths  shine. 

And  fill  men's  souls  with  sacred  wine. 

At  holy  matrimonial  shrine 

Unite  her  to  some  masculine 

Of  ton  and  fashion  the  latest  make  ; 

And  as  they  float  on  hymen's  lake, 

Observe  what  special  pains  they  take, 

To  trace  the  windings  of  the  snake; 

And  all  their  ways  and  wants  compare 

With  what  their  pristine  parents  were; 

Then  cast  the  odds, —  and  we  behold, — 

The  Devil's  boot,  when  Eve  was  sold  ! 

From  the  exchange  of  Belzebub, 

Of  spirit  circles,  still  the  hub, 


THE   ANTEDILUVIAN.  63 

A  few  diabolos  are  sent 

To  sympathize  around  the  tent, 

And  with  the  owls  collected  there, 

To  serenade  the  fallen  pair, 

From  which  event  no  ill  or  harm 

Came  to  their  dwelling,  or  alarm. 

So  wearied  nature  found  repose, 

Till  in  the  morn  refreshed  they  rose, 

Adam  to  clear  a  garden  patch, 

And  Eve  new  ways  and  means  to  hatch. 

Now,  the  command  was  very  strict 

That  they  should  learn  arithmetic  ; 

So  when  a  season  here  they  run 

They  "  multiply  and  carry  one  ;  " 

Rejoicing  in  their  figure  three, 

Because,  as  yet,  they  cannot  see 

The  vagabond  he  is  to  be  : 


64:  THE    ANTEDILUVIAN. 


So  Eve  sings  him  lullabys, 
Sings  to  him  of  snakes  and  lies. 


THE  FIRST  BABY  SOXG. 


Hush !  Hush,  my  dear  baby, 

And  listen  to  me, 
While  I  sing  you  the  song 

Of  the  snake  and  tree. 

When  time  was  beginning, 
And  mother  was  new, 

And  living  in  Eden, 
With  nothing  to  do : 

A  tall,  polished  serpent, 

A  talkative  snake, 
Oft  walked  in  our  garden 

His  wits  all  awake. 


THE    ANTEDILUVIAN. 

Where  proud  of  the  wisdom 
With  which  lie  was  blest, 

lie  became  one  fine  day 
Of  Satan  possessed. 

And  there  in  the  garden, 
With  apples  bent  down, 

Loomed  over  all  others, 
The  tree  of  renown. 


'Twas  a  harbinger,  there, 
Of  Heaven's  intent, 

Whose  blessings  to  mortals 
Through  Satan  are  sent. 


Though  its  secret  was  hid, 
And  virtue  concealed, 

Till  found  by  this  Demon 
And  to  ine  revealed. 


U6  THE   ANTEDILUVIAN. 

For  'twas  here,  my  darling, 
And  under  this  tree, 

Ye  sweet  talking  serpent 
Came  tricking  to  me. 

Yea,  bright  was  his  garnish, 
And  luring  he  smiled, 

Be  wary,  my  darling ! 
Be  cautious,  my  child ! 

His  crest,  now,  is  fallen, 
And  dust  is  his  food, 

And  over  creation 
He  scatters  his  brood ; 

His  fangs  are  extended, 
And  play  round  his  face, 

And  blazed  on  his  forehead, 
These  words  we  may  trace ;- 


THE   ANTEDILUVIAN.  67 

"  Confusion  to  Adam  ! 

Though  lofty  his  head, — 
The  sweat  of  his  temples 

Shall  moisten  his  bread! 

And  his  children,  for  aye 

Our  God  shall  reprove 
For  seizing  the  knowledge 

I  brought  from  above !  " 

Beware  of  this  serpent, 

And  when  on  his  trail, 
Look  out  for  the  circle 

Described  by  his  tail ! 

And  when  comes  to  your  ears 

His  warning  rattle, 
Then  think  of  thy  mother, 

Be  brave  in  the  battle ! 


68  THE    ANTEDILUVIAN'. 

*      Remember  he  lured  her, 
And  left  her  in  shame, 
Go,  arm  with  a  cudgel ! 
And  strike,  in  her  name! 

For  this  is  the  Demon, 
Released  with  his  brood; 

When  I  ate  of  those  apples, 
That  tasted  so  good ! 

Oh !  beware  of  this  brood ! 

My  own  precious  child  ; 
For  they're  in  all  the  land ; 

And  the  earth  is  defiled ! 

The  tribes  that  are  coming 
Shall  bow  to  his  sway, 

And  knowledge  in  battle 
Its  thousands  shall  slay : 


THE   ANTEDILUVIAN.  69 

Till  the  tree,  now  pregnant  •*• 

With  apples  of  doom, 
Shall  yield  earth  a  goddess, 

To  light  up  the  gloom  ! 

Hark !  hark,  my  dear  baby ! 

The  voice  of  our  God, 
In  thunder  from  Heaven, 

Peals  out  from  the  cloud  ! 

'Twas  not  thus  in  Eden 

Where  mother  was  queen, 
No  thunder  was  there, 

Or  lightning,  or  rain. 

But  Pison  and  Gihon, 

And  other  streams  nigh 
Gave  mists  to  the  garden 

Which  never  was  dry. 


70  THE   ANTEDILUVIAN. 

1      And  the  angels  of  light 

Spoke  soft,  cheerful  words, 
And  danced  with  thy  mother. 
And  sang  with  the  birds. 

When  from  earth,  and  our  fall, 
They  shall  wing  me  away, 

Oh  I  remember  the  song 
That  I  sing  thee  to-day. 

This  song  the  polished, 
Intelligent  snake, 

That  walked  in  the  garden 
His  wits  all  awake. 

Yes,  rife  were  his  manners, 
And  winning  he  smiled; 

Be  wary,  my  darling, 
Be  cautious,  my  child ! 


THE   ANTEDILUVIAN.  71 

What  I  closing  thy  peepers  ? 

Not  hearing  a  word? 
Almost  with  the  angels ; 

In  regions  of  Nod  ? 

Well,  dinner  is  ready, 

And  Adam  I'll  call, 
So  kiss  me,  my  firstling, — 

Then  sleep  on, —  that's  all. 


CANTO   SEVENTH. 


The  early  and  the  latter  rain 

Falls  on  his  vineyard,  corn,  and  grain, 

While  Adam  cultivates  each  row, 

"With  perspiration  on  his  brow ; 

For  him,  and  his, —  the  world  goes  round  ; 

Eve  tends  the  pot, —  he  tills  the  ground. 

While  hopeful  Cain,  scorning  to  crawl, 

Or  longer  hang  npon  the  wall, 

Drives  round  the  dooryard  on  the  goat 

Heedless  of  mother's  warning  note. 

Oh,  ye !  whose  children  cry  for  bread, 

Go,  till  the  land,  as  Adam  did, 

Gird  up  your  loins,  and  buckle  to  it ! 

Too  many  rather  die  than  do  it. 


THE    ANTEDILUVIAN.  73 

And  ye,  fair  ones  of  modern  times, 

Wild  votaries  at  fashion's  shrine, 

Fizzled,  and  flounced,  with  hard  earned  dimes, 

Contemplate  this  primeval  scene 

And  blush, —  that  is,  if  you  can  - 

!N"ot  that  young  scamp, —  my  muse  would  note 

Demoralizing  with  the  goat ; 

But  ye,  whilom  ancestral  pot, 

Legs  on  the  bottom, —  lid  on  top  I 

Oh,  ye  I  plain  wholesome  kitchen  knowledge, 

Dear  relic  of  the  old  "  has  been  \  " 

Fain  I  fain,  would  she  soar  with  thy  porridge, 

To  the  tents  of  the  daughters  of  men  I 

When  Adam's  vintage  graced  the  lease, 

And  mellow  fruit  hung  on  the  trees, 

Ere  Sol  had  left  the  orient, 

A  figure  four  came  to  the  tent, 

When  for  his  father  Cain  was  sent. 
4 


74:  THE    ANTEDILUVIAN. 

He  found  that  parent  in  the  field, 
And  in  this  wise  the  news  revealed : 
"  A  'ittle  tranger's  to  us  tame 
Ot  ma  onts  you  to  turn  and  name, 
He's  just  as  tunnin'  as  a  titten, 
An'  mover's  got  'im  in  your  mitten." 
"  Just  so,"  says  Adam,  "  that's  all  right, 
Go  tell  her  I'll  be  home  ere  night, 
And  hang  the  mitten  on  the  gable, 
We'll  name  him  when  she's  better,  Able. 
And  mind,  my  boy,  keep  binning  bright 
A  fire  within  the  tent  to-night ; 
For  mischief's  brewing  in  the  weather, 
And  we  must  keep  close  watch  together. 
I've  noticed  many  signs  to-day, 
Telling  of  Demon  stretch  this  way, 
They're  quick  to  scent  all  mortal  joy, 
So  we  must  keep  awake,  my  boy, 


THE   ANTEDILUVIAN.  75 

Watching,  with  prayer,  and  Ebenezer, 

Shall  take  men  through  worse  times  than  these  are ; 

Keep  this  in  mind,  and  understand, 

My  seed  must  subjugate  the  land  : 

Unless  these  imps  take  social  form, 

In  which  event  there'll  be  a  storm, 

And  then,  though  earth  he  overflown, 

Jehovah's  sure  to  save  his  own." 

Thus  Adam  spake,  putting  to  rout 

Some  few  diabolos  on  scout, 

When  Cain  returning  to  the  tent 

Pondered  these  sayings  as  he  w'ent. 

To  be  recalled  in  after  times. 

When  stained  with  blood,  and  steeped  in  crimes. 

The  wheels  of  time  revolving  move, 

Our  fallen  pair  contented  prove, 

They  borrow  not,  or  do  they  care, 

To  lend  their  neighbors  of  the  air. 


76  THE    ANTEDILUVIAN. 

Adam  toils  on, —  no  fear  or  thought 
Of  poaching  on  a  neighbor's  lot, — 
Seed  time  and  harvest, —  hears  none  say  — 
"  You're  cultivating  the  wrong  way, 
From  east  to  west  your  rows  should  tend, 
You'll  not  have  half  a  yield  my  friend  ; " 
Till  blest  with  sight  of  stock  and  vine  ; 
While  mother  Eve  from  goat  or  kine, 
Their  lactescent  fluid  squeezes. 
As  she  contemplates  curds  and  cheeses; 
And  thus  they  live  as  roll  the  years, 
Attending  to  their  own  affairs. 
But  Satan,  who  likes  not  this  style, 
Leaving  his  throne,  puts  on  a  smile, 
And  to  his  imps  says  "  come  on  now, 
'  Let  us  go  up  and  make  a  row  !  " 
'Tis  thus  a  fuss  is  brought  about, 
The  brothers  have  a  falling  out, 


THE    ANTEDILUVIAN.  77 

Young  Cain  and  Abel  can't  agree, 
They  differ  in  theology  ! 
So  Cain  resolves  to  be  a  hero, 
And  Abel  falls,  — falls  to  zero! 
When  Cain  receives  a  mark  or  brand, 
That  none  shall  slay  him  in  the  land, 
With  this  he  left  his  home  and  God, 
And  journeyed  to  "  the  land  of  Nod," 
Where  he  located  with  his  spouse, 
But  who  she  was,  no  mortal  knows. 
Howbeit,  an  Enoch  here  they  had, 
Who  was  the  father  of  Irad ; 
And  here  a  city,  too,  they  raised, 
Around  which  Jabal's  cattle  grazed; 
Here  Jubal's  ancient  harps  were  tuned, 
And  earth's  primeval  organs  groaned, 
Here  Lamech's  wife,  Zillah  the  younger  ; 
Reared  Tubal  Cain,  the  iron-monger. 


78  THE    ANTEDILUVIAN. 

Judging  from  what  Laineeh  confessed, 

This  city  of  the  fratricide 
With  holiness  was  never  blessed  ; 

But  went  with  the  apostate  tide, — 
Till  Heaven's  wrath,  throuy/i,  X null's  flood, 
Avenged  her  wrongs,  and  Abel's  blood. 
Since  which,  we  find  in  every  place, 
Among  the  tribes, —  that  Adam's  race 
Associate  the  man  of  mark 
With  deeds  diabolic  and  dark ; 
While  on  his  name  there  rests  such  stain, 
No  child  has  since  been  christened  Cain. 
Old  Enoch  !  city  of  the  flood, 
And  refuge  of  the  "  Sons  of  God  !  " 
Who,  falling  from  their  first  estate, 
Brought  Adam's  race  to  sin  and  fate  ! 
Some  other  bard  thy  walls  must  scale, 
Tally  thy  gates,  and  chant  thy  wail  ! 


THE    ANTEDILUVIAN.  79 

Some  other  muse  delve  in  thy  lore, 

And  freighted  with  thy  debris  soar 

To  contemplate  thy  dark  decades, 

And  conjure  up  thy  hero's  shades! 

These  giant  sons  of  God,  make  known, 

And  bring  men's  daughters  "  bone  to  bone  : :' 

Mine  chooseth  rather  to  reflect 

Her  rays  upon  the  line  direct. 

Old  moons  depart,  and  new  ones  come, 

Our  sovereign  pair  are  still  at  home, 

And  as  they  put  life's  business  through, 

Another  figure  comes  to  view ; 

Which  chosen  Seth, —  in  Abel's  place 

(Whence  sprang  the  Abrahamic  race), 

Grew  up  to  be  his  parents'  pride 

And  left  an  Enos  when  he  died. 

Enos,  a  Oainan  did  reveal 

Who  dying  left  Mahalaleel ; 


80  THE    ANTEDILUVIAN. 

And  long  before  Adam  was  buried, 
Mahalaleel  produced  a  Jared, 
By  whom  an  Enoch  was  begot, 
Who  walked  uprightly,  and  was  not. 
Methuselah  the  next  in  line, 
Foots  up  nine  hundred  sixty-nine ; 
And  sixty -six  was  Lamech's  age, 
When  Adam  left  this  pilgrim  stage. 
Next  comes  the  hero  of  the  flood, 
"Who  built  the  ark  of  gopher  wood, 
And  by  his  energetic  action, 
Of  all  creation,  saved  a  fraction  ; 
According  to  the  Lord's  command, 
Who  had  proposed  to  flood  the  land, 
Apostate  peoples  to  efface, 
And  with  them,  such  of  Adam's  race, 
As  might  be  tinctured  with  the  stains 
Of  blood,  not  lineal,  from  his  veins. 


TIIK    ANTEDILUVIAN.  81 

This  upright  fraction  proved  so  small, 

That  one  light  bark  conveyed  them  all. 

Upon  that  sea  without  a  shore 

To  Ararat  —  with  father  Noah  ; 

Where,  when  the  waters  were  restrained, 

We're  told  their  ancient  craft  remained, 

Long  after  patriarch  and  sons, 

With  their  wives  and  little  ones, 

Beasts,  creeping  things,  and  birds  that  fly 

Had  landed  safe  to  multiply. 

And  they  a  new  departure  take 

Thence  from  the  altar,  which  they  make, 

Cheered  by  the  "  bow  of  promise  "  sent, 

The  token  of  the  covenant. 

In  mathematics  Noah  was  good, 

And  navigation  understood ; 

Grounding  the  ark  on  Ararat, 

Appears  the  fault  of  young  Japheth, 


82  THE    ANTEDILUVIAN. 

Who,  having  fell  asleep,  'twas  said 
Neglected  thus  to  "cast  the  lead." 
Schooled  by  the  masters  of  his  time, 
He  stood  an  oracle  sublime, 
And  taught  his  children  how  to  shun 
And  circumvent  the  "  evil  one." 
But  when  the  world,  in  knowledge  grown, 
For  wickedness  was  overthrown, 
Noah's  good  judgment  somewhat  strayed. 
And  that  event  to  knowledge  laid. 
With  sacred  wine  —  blent  demon  guile, 
And  "took  a  drink"  or  in  a  "smile" 
Indulged  —  then  cursed  the  seed  of  Ham  ; 
Which  curse  of  late  good  "  Uncle  Sam," 
With  modern  teachers  for  his  guide, 
Has  labored  hard  to  set  aside  ; 
And  if  the  curse  be  but  of  earth, 
Having  its  genesis,  or  birth 


THE    ANTEDILUVIAN. 

Solely  from  Noah's  "  getting  tight," 

Then  "  Uncle  Samuel  "  is  right : 

And  Heaven  speed  him  on  his  way 

In  boosting  np  our  colored  clay  ! 

But  if  this  curse,  by  God's  ordained, 

Humanity  has  nothing  gained, 

And  all  the  boons  of  civil  right 

"Will  fail  to  make  our  darkies  white ! 

This  error  of  the  patriarch, 

His  sons  embraced,  and  quenched  the  spark 

Of  human  knowledge  —  stayed  its  tide  — 

Leaving  the  world  to  Satan's  guide, 

Who  unmolested,  for  a  span, 

Again  seems  ruler  over  man. 

But  'round  the  tents  of  chosen  Shem 

Yet  lingered  Eden's  cherubim, 

Vicegerent  of  the  "  Lofty  One  " 

Watching,  till  Terah's  loyal  son 


83 


84-  THE    ANTEDILUVIAN*. 

Appeared  ;  —  the  faithful  Abraham, 

To  whom  Jehovah  said  "  I  AM  !  " 

" Look  to  the  stars  —  and  trust  in  me! 

E'en  as  their  hosts  —  thy  seed  shall  be ! 

Nations,  and  kings  shall  come  of  thee, 

And  priests  and  prophets  shall  increase 

Till  earth  receive  the  '  Prince  of  Peace ! ' ' 

But  stay  my  Muse; — restrain  this  flight ! 

Xor  bathe  thy  wings  in  Judah's  light! 

Our  task  was  rather  to  explore 

The  garden  ;  and  the  world  of  yore  : 

Its  patriarchs  to  recreate  ; 

And  from  the  ruined  work  of  fate 

Display  that  serpent  to  our  race, 

Who  "woke  up"  Eden's  masterpiece  !" 


85 


CANTO   EIGHTH. 


Thus  having  seen  one  flesh  and  blood 
Restored  to  earth,  through  Noah's  flood, 
Let  us  return  to  Adam's  day, 
His  lengthened  span  of  life  survey, 
And  estimate  his  social  clay. — 
To  Him,  who  clothed  in  majesty, 
Directs  through  space  the  rolling  spheres, 
A  thousand  years  is  but  a  day, 
A  day  e'en  as  a  thousand  years. 
Thus  Adam's  years  were  multiplied, 
While  in  a  day  he  lived  and  died. 
Moses  gives  us  to  understand 
His  pilgrimage  eventful,  and 
Diversified  in  many  ways, 


86  THE    ANTEDILUVIAN". 

Upon  the  life  tide  of  those  days  ; 
"When  fallen  angels  dwelt  with  men, 
Producing  mutiny  and  sin. 
He  saw  the  tribes  spring  from  his  tent, 
With  an  inhuman  offspring  blent, 
And  welded  by  the  fiends'  cement. 
Wept  o'er  the  chosen  Abel,  slain 
By  his  unhallowed  brother  Cain  ; 
Had  daughters  ruined  in  their  prime, 
By  these  strange  beings  of  his  time ; 
Yet  no  one  ever  heard  him  grieve  ; 
That  he  forsook  not  mother  Eve, 
In  that  hugely  pregnant  hour, 
Yielding  her  to  demon  power  ; 
As  a  less  manly  soul  had  done, 
Hugging  to  Paradise,  alone. 
And  though  Satanic  pressure  then 
Was  stronger  than  it  since  has  been, 


THE    ANTEDILUVIAN.  87 

Oar  parent  — noble  patriarch  ! 

Stood  up  and  toed  the  moral  mark ; 

Walking  before  that  mongrel  clan, 

A  circumspect  and  model  man  ; 

Then  dying,  left  his  line  direct, 

The  testament  of  the  elect. 

Now,  as  some  tribes  may  like  to  know 

Just  why  it  was,  he  died,  and  how, 

It  may  be  well  enough  to  state 

The  circumstances  of  his  fate ; 

And  furthermore,  proceed  to  tell 

The  manner  of  his  funeral ; 

Adding  some  inferential  views, 

Which  are  suggested  by  my  muse. 

Believing  in  that  early  creed, 

Prognostic  of  the  promised  seed, 

And  fostering  a  lively  hope 

That  sin  some  day,  might  have  less  scope, 


88  THE    ANTEDILUVIAN. 

He  nourished  in  this  vale  of  tears 

Nine  centuries  and  thirty  years, 

And  having  stood  by  mother  Eve, 

When  the  apple  sealed  her  doom, 

He,  too,  the  scenes  of  earth  must  leave, 

And  be  gathered  to  the  tomb. 

So  Death  comes  by,  one  pleasant  day, 

And  takes  his  power  to  breathe  away  ; 

Bids  him  unto  his  sceptre  bow, 

And  stamps  his  seal  upon  his  brow  ; 

Stills  the  pulse  and  chills  the  blood, 

"When  soars  the  spirit  to  its  God, 

Leaving  the  clay  inanimate, 

To  find  its  antecedent  state. 

"  Adam  is  dead  !  "  'tis  whispered  low, 

The  tents  of  Seth  are  draped  in  woe, 

Eight,  generations  feel  the  blow, 

And  tears,  with  old  Euphrates  flow, 


THE    ANTEDILUVIAN.  89 

As  here,  the  distant  tribes  collect 

To  pay  their  tribute  of  respect, 

And  on  life's  brevity  reflect, 

With  sympathy  for  nearer  kin 

And  charity  for  innate  sin. 

Then,  holy  Enoch,  bathed  in  tears, 

liecounts  his  deeds  through  all  his  years, 

And  points  them  to  their  God  above, 

And  to  the  antedated  king, 

The  seed  appointed  to  remove 

The  venom  of  the  serpent's  sting ; 

While  lamentation  rends  the  air, 

From  all  the  thousands  gathered  there. 

The  tribes  of  Nod,  Kingship  maintain, 

And  join  as  mourners  in  the  train  ; 

While  tents  extraneous  dot  the  plain, 

Of  multitudes  antemundane, 

Which  wing  of  doomed  celestial  pride 

Turned  out  to  swell  the  imposing  tide. 


90  THE    ANTEDILUVIAN. 

Thus  father  Adam's  fated  clay 

Was  honored  in  that  early  day. 

Our  mother  Eve,  not  long  before 

Had  journeyed  to  the  silent  shore ; 

And  after  preparations  made 

Near  her,  to  have  the  father  laid, 

They  move,  with  slow  and  measured  pace 

Toward  the  consecrated  place, 

AY  here  his  remains  are  laid  in  view, 

That  all  may  take  a  last  adieu. 

"  Peace  to  his  dust !  "  the  stern  tribes  cry, 

As  in  their  turn  they're  winding  by ; 

"  Peace  to  his  dust !  "  each  patriarch  said, 

Then  lowered  him  to  his  hallowed  bed, 

And  left  him  to  his  final  rest, 

Restored  unto  his  mother's  breast. 

What  though  with  sin  he  be  defiled, 

She  recognizes  but  her  child, 

And  takes  unto  her  pure  embrace 


THE   ANTEDILUVIAN. 


Old  Adam,  father  of  his  race. 
Thus  sanctified,  and  high  above 
Corruption,  bides  maternal  love. 
A  glory,  not  in  Eden  known, 
Now  radiates  the  mother's  zone, 
And  sits  enthroned  upon  her  brow, 
Distilling  like  the  precious  dew 
An  essence,  pure  and  undefined, 
Around  the  pathway  of  her  child  ; 
And  giving  aspirations  flow, 
That  time  nor  change  can  overthrow  ! 
And  when  she's  gathered  to  the  tomb 
And  we,  the  mourners'  hearth  surround, 
There  comes  a  fragrance  from  the  bloom 
Of  memories,  with  glory  crowmed. 
Dear  mother  Eve,  had  but  this  grace 
Adorned  thy  brow,  beneath  that  tree, 
Satan  and  his  apostate  race 


92  THE    ANTEDILUVIAN. 

In  vain  had  surely  tempted  thee ! 
This  fact  the  arch  deceiver  knew, 
So  hurried  on  his  fiendish  crew, 
And  faltered  not  till  he  could  read 
(Or  thought  he  could),  a  title  deed 
To  found  his  kingdom,  and  proceed 
To  rule  and  wreck  the  coming  breed. 
We  know  not  why  'twas  thus  to  be, 
Or  why  in  Eden  grew  that  tree ; 
We  only  know  we  find  sin  here, 
An  institution  on  our  sphere, 
And  that  we  find  no  earthly  zone, 
Where  thistle  down  has  never  blown, 
Or  country,  with  such  wholesome  laws 
That  men  won't  toil  in  Satan's  cause ; 
We  can't  tell  why  we  were  not  born 
Where  blooms  the  rose  without  a  thorn, 
Or  why  a  spacious  world  like  tin's, 
Should  have  no  spot  of  perfect  bliss ! 


THE    ANTEDILUVIAN.  93 

We  only  know  the  first  transgression. 

Gave  to  Satan  full  possession 

Of  all  who  have  the  "  least  discretion," 

We  know  not  why  Eve  was  beguiled. 

Before  a  babe  on  earth  had  smiled ; 

Or  how  the  garden  could  have  joys 

Without  its  little  girls  and  boys ; 

We  only  know  they  come  to  us 

With  smiles,  that  antedate  the  curse, 

And  ar'nt  of  Adam's  paradise, 

Where  Satan's  kingdom  had  its  rise, 

But  of  that  city,  whose  foundation 

Knows  no  wreck  or  devastation, 

And  pay  no  tribute  to  the  fiend, 

Till  from  their  innocence  they're  weaned. 

Ye,  who  the  woman's  courage  doubt, 

And  call  her  nervous,  weak  and  vain, 

Go,  ask  the  anaconda  out, 


94:  THE   ANTEDILUVIAN. 

And  walk  with  him  without  a  cane. 

Eve  met  him  thus,  in  Eden's  bower, 

When  he  was  crowned  with  demon  power, 

And  walked  with  him  without  a  dread, 

Before  his  first  great  coat  was  shed  ; 

You  hail  him  in  the  wilderness 

And  he'l  salute  you  with  a  hiss, 

And  if  you're  not  like  Daniel  blest, 

He'll  gulp  you  down,  pants,  coat,  and  vest. 

Eve  heard  the  beast  expound  and  preach, 

When  he  had  brains  and  power  of  speech, 

Embraced  his  creed,  and  thought  how  wrong 

To  live  without  her  sight  so  long ; 

And  now,  though  brains  and  speech  are  gone, 

His  flattened  head  still  preaching  on, 

Corroborates  each  line  and  verse, 

That  give  the  story  of  the  curse ; 

And  tells  us,  fewer  brains  are  his, 


THE    ANTEDILUVIAN.  95 

Who  doubts  the  book  of  Genesis ! 

Mother  of  tribes  !     First  multiplier, 

Chief  rib  of  our  immortal  sire ! 

Through  all  the  changes  earth  has  seen, 

The  snake  has  kept  thy  memory  green, 

And  will,  till  sin  shall  yield  to  grace, 

When  basilisk  and  cockatrice 

Shall  fraternize  with  Adam's  race, 

And  that  apostate,  Belzebub, 

Deliver  up  his  hostile  club. 

That  millennial  morn  shall  bring 

Joy  to  the  snake  ;  losing  his  sting, 

His  wits,  that  left  him  at  the  fall, 

He  shall  be  able  to  recall, 

And  rank  on  earth,  harmless  and  wise, 

As  erst  he  did  in  Paradise, 

Freed  from  the  "  father  of  all  lies," 

Sages,  and  priests,  he  will  advise, 

And  with  new  unction  touch  their  eyes ; 


06  THE   ANTEDILUVIAN. 

Mothers  shall  seek  his  dwelling  place, 
And  leave  their  babes  in  his  embrace ! 
Children  will  smile  to  hear  his  name, 
And  elders  sing  \vith  glad  acclaim, 
His  star  (eclipsed  that  death  might  reign),' 
Restored  to  bless  the  world  again. 
And  thou !  great  Alpha  of  our  race ! 
Who  with  thy  rib,  didst  death  embrace! 
All  tribes  to  thee  their  source  may  trace, 
And  though  in  scientific  mire, 
Some,  hankering  for  another  sire, 
Ally  themselves  unto  the  brute, 
And  write  mankind,  but  monkey  fruit  — 
Thy  name,  and  fame,  baptized  shall  be, 
In  the  dread  Jordan  of  the  tree! 
And  with  the  fallen  serpent's  sting, 
Shall  onward  through  the  ages  ring ! 
While  rising  generations  sing, 


THE    ANTEDILUVIAN. 


And  round  the  realms  of  science  swing 
This  tail  of  human  oriin. 


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